News Release 536

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES STORM WAIVERS AFTER RECENT SNOW AND ICE STORMS
Some Disposal and Burning Regulations Temporarily Suspended to Clean Up Storm Debris

Volume 34-536

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC 7, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has suspended specific air pollution and solid waste regulations to address wastes generated by the recent snow and ice storms that occurred last week.

Because of the severity of the storms, the snow and ice has resulted in widespread damage in Missouri. Following Executive Order 06-48 issued by the Gov. Matt Blunt on Dec. 1, the department is temporarily suspending certain rules and regulations regarding the management of storm debris.

Brush and yard waste debris normally excluded from disposal at permitted sanitary landfills will be allowed under these extraordinary circumstances. Where practical, the recycling of these items is encouraged, though not required. The waiver applies only to yard waste and does not allow disposal of other items normally prohibited in sanitary or demolition landfills.

Disposal by burning trees, brush and yard waste will be allowed in the outstate areas of Missouri. Open burning of yard waste is still not allowed in the St. Louis metro area (St. Louis City and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin), Kansas City metro area (Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray) or Springfield area (Greene County). There are certain restrictions for the outstate areas in order to protect the health and welfare of neighboring properties. The burning of vegetative storm debris will not require a permit, but must take place at least 200 yards from the nearest neighboring occupied structure and have the approval of local fire officials.

The suspensions of these solid waste and burning regulations are valid only for debris resulting from the recent severe storms, and will expire Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 respectively. Further information, including the full text of the waiver authorizations, is available on the department's natural disaster resources Web page at: www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm. Factsheets on proper disposal of storm debris and other related is also available on this Web site.

For more information contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443, or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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